STATS

HIGHLIGHTS

GAME NOTES

• Brock Boeser made his season debut tonight, after sitting for the first two games. He had an assist on the Canucks’ first goal and was -4 in shot attempts in just over 11 and a half minutes of even-strength ice time. He didn’t blow the lights out tonight but he certainly flashed potential. There was much hand-wringing over Travis Green’s reluctance to get Boeser in the lineup, but in theory, there’s not much to be upset about. If he can get in 50-60 games this season, he’ll be just fine.
• The goal Boeser assisted on was Daniel Sedin’s 188th goal at Rogers Arena, making him the all-time leader in that category over former teammate Markus Naslund. Both Sedins looked good tonight (at least compared to the rest of the team,) and the power play was clicking better than we’ve seen this season.
• Alex Edler left the game with an apparent lower body injury in the first and did not return. This meant we got to see Erik Gudbranson take regular shifts against top competition, often on his off-side. He did not fare well, finishing a team worst -9 in shot attempts.
• Chris Tanev let out an uncharacteristic lazer of a shot to beat Connor Hellebuyck top-corner and put the Canucks within one late in the third. It seems like every offseason we hear about the work Tanev is putting in on his shot, and it looks like maybe it’s finally paid off. He’s currently tied for the team-lead in goals, because the first few games of the season are always a little weird.
• Anyone talking about Travis Green’s new approach might want to pump the brakes. Brandon Sutter led all Canucks forwards in even-strength ice time, and the Canucks struggled to score yet again. It felt like Willie D all over again, even if there was more line-matching.  He also described tonight’s game as possibly the best of the season, which is… interesting, to say the least.